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Future of democracy in Pakistan
Outline
• Democracy and Pakistan – Present, Past and Future
• Importance of democracy
• Threats to democracy

1. Weak political institutions

2. Influence of Military

3. Economic difficulties
4. Social Norms
5. Illiteracy – lack of political of awareness
6. Unemployment and poverty
7. Image of political leadership
8. Power politics

9. Foreign interference
10. Unbridled media
11. Feudalism and racism
12. Grievances of small provinces
13. Relation with India
14. Terrorism and extremism
• Suggestions to meet the challenges

1. Strengthing of political parties and political culture

2. Sovereignty of parliament and other statuary
3. Independence of judiciary
4. Eradication of illiteracy
5. Political awareness

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6. Democratic norms
7. Economic uplift
8. Emergence of new leadership
9. Participation of youth in political process

10. Mature and tolerant politics

11. Independence of media
12. Accountability
• Our strengths

1. Presence of pro-democracy leadership

2. Active Civil Society

3. Independent Media
4. Determined and dedicated nation
5. Pakistani Youth
• Conclusion
Essay

In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, freedom and democracy are just
more then ideals to be followed rather its necessary for survival. Noam Chomsky

Pakistan was the result of a political and democratic struggle but democracy could not
flourish during 62 years of its existence. The founder of Pakistan was a great
democratic statesman who envisioned a democratic and progressive Pakistan.
Unfortunately his illness couldn’t let him to contribute much for democracy. His death
was a fine blow to the political stability of Pakistan. Liaquat Ali Khan, a devoted prime-
minister elected from Eastern Pakistan was unacceptable to the ruling elite of West
Pakistan and was subsequently eliminated from the political scene in 1951. These initial
problems of Pakistan gave him little time to focus his attention on democratic and
constitutional development of newly born state. His sudden death proved a serious blow
to the nation. His successors dedicated their efforts to perpetuate their rule showing
little concern to democratic development. The early years were marked with
conspiracies, unethical and undemocratic tactics in power corridors of the country. This
situation provided opportunity to military to intervene in politics and Ayub Khan imposed
first Marshal Law in 1958. After this, army became a stakeholder in power game and
ruled the country four times through coups.

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The recent government has assumed power through an electoral process but after 9
years of military rule. It has not completed even two years of its formation and threats
have surfaced to its existence. The current democracy is facing multifaceted challenges
on economic, social, political and international fronts. This needs a sagacious approach
to ensure continuance of democratic rule in Pakistan.

Today the respect of a nation in the international community is directly linked to

prevalence of democracy. Pakistan has to strengthen democracy in order to earn a
respectable place in the world and head towards the road of progress and prosperity.

The clouds of uncertainty are hovering over the democratic set-up in Pakistan. The
major threat is absence of sound political infrastructure. Frequent Military interventions
prevented growth of political culture. Political parties could not be established on
modern and democratic lines. Political parities are nursuries of democracy. In Pakistan
these parties are plagued with outside influence, short term goals, one man show and
family politics. Political culture cannot flourish until political parties start functioning in
democratic manner.

Military has emerged as a stakeholder in political process that is against the very spirit
of democracy. Where it is permanent threat hanging over the government on one hand,
it encourages the undemocratic forces to destabilize democracy on the other hand.

Economic difficulties are the barriers to Govt performance causing public discontent.
Pakistan government is facing financial difficulties. Its economy is under developed
characterized by huge trade deficit, heavy debt burden and deteriorating currency.
Government lacks the requisite economic resources for public uplift. Consequently
common men remain indifferent to national politics and democracy that induce
undemocratic forces to intervene.

The democratic system derives its strength from people. As former American President,
Abraham Lincoln, had said,

“Democracy is Govt of the people, by the people, for the people.”

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Where half of the Pakistani population is illiterate and stands unaware to democratic
concepts, even the major chunk of educated people remains also indifferent to political
developments in the country. This allures undemocratic forces to assume the power and
to their pleasure they are accorded warm welcome by the nation when they assumed
the charge. Political unawareness amongst the masses poses serious threat to
democracy. Democracy can flourish only if public at large get involved in the political
process.

The image of political leadership has been rotten over the time. Common men tend to
dislike the political personalities. They are held responsible for all the afflictions Pakistan
facing today. There are deficiencies in politicians, but these are projected to the public
with exaggeration of some facts along with certain myths. This mistrust of public
prevents them to concern about the political process. Political instability along with
economic difficulties pushed the country towards foreign dependence. Resultantly, the
international powers, in pursuance of their own goals, care little to the democratic
stability of the country. All the military rulers enjoyed foreign support. 75% of financial
aid by USA was received during the military regime. Purportedly, these foreign players
intrigue to destabilize the political set up, when their interest require doing so.

Media independence is vital to democratic stability but it must be subjected to some

ethics, rules and regulations. Unfortunately, media scarcely follows the ethical and legal
limits. Commercialism some time allures it to pursue yellow journalism putting aside the
national interest. In order to catch public opinion, media manipulate the facts and mis-
represent it to the public where constructive criticism play a positive role, undue
castigation arouse public wrath for the sitting government. Consequently people start
desiring change whether democratic or undemocratic.

Feudalism is negation of equality and freedom. Democracy is not just happening of

electoral exercise, it is set of principles based on the concept of freedom, liberty,
equality and tolerance. Elections are just one of the manifestations of democracy. While
feudalism does not hinder the electoral process, it put curbs on the people’s right of
freedom. Masses are restrained to freely participate in the democratic process.
Feudalism is still prevailing in Pakistan and people falling under its jurisdiction are
treated like subjects. They can never become the active participants of political process.

Small provinces have lost their confidence on federation. Military rulers suppressed their
demands. They were denied the genuine legal and constitutional rights. Though the
present democratic government sought apology from Balouchs, no substantial efforts
has been evinced yet to redress their woes, their anti-centre feelings, if not addressed
aptly would aggravate in the days ahead.

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Pakistan unfriendly relations with India overpower its domestic and international
policies. Both the countries remained at logger heads since their inception. Pakistan, in
order to counter the menace of Indian adventures, had to allocate major chunk of her
resources for military development at the cost of negating other socio-economic sectors
of the country. She has to maintain a large army in spite of having limited economic
resources. Pakistan annually allocates 33% of her budget to defense on average. If
relations with India are normalized, these resources may be better spent on public uplift,
social welfare, education and health. If it happens it would bring prosperity that
strengthens the democratic foundations of the country.

Terrorism is one of the biggest threats to survival of entire humanity. The entire world is
intimidated of this menace and making efforts to counter it. Its afflictions are pervasive
and engulfing the peace and prosperity of the nation. The multiple challenges lingering
on democracy thus requires a multipronged struggle to counter them.
Political parties are the primary institutions of democracy in order to provide a solid
foundation to edifice of democracy. Political parties have to re-organize and function on
democratic lines. These have to establish their roots at gross root level and develop
them like institutions open to public. Only political parties can ensure public participation
in political process and inculcate the democratic values. A dedicated involvement of
people at large would provide a solid base to democracy in Pakistan.

Parliament is representative institution of public. Executives must be accountable before

the parliament. If all decisions are made through the parliament, it would strengthen
democracy.

Judiciary is a foremost pillar of state. An independent and efficient Judiciary ensure

prevalence of social justice in the society. It provides a plat-form to aggrieved citizens to
seek redressal of their griveneces. If people get legal way to their redressal, it reduces
the likelihood of illegal adventures. So independence of judiciary is key to strong
democracy.

Educational uplift of the society makes its members well conversant to the concepts of
freedom, liberty and democracy. People learn the blessings of public rule. It enhances
their commitment to democracy and they can stand against the efforts to derail the
political process.

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Ironically, a considerable majority of educated people lack awareness to democracy.
This issue must be addressed through transformation of syllabus on modern lines.
Democracy, its need and its blessings must be incorporated as part of the syllabus at all
levels of education. Besides this, government must join hands with media, civil society
and other pressure groups to inculcate the values of freedom, liberty, human rights and
democracy amongst the masses.

Political players must set good norms to strengthen democracy. Power thrust,
intolerance and corruption have plagued the politics of Pakistan. Time has come to stop
the old practices and follow the democratic values prevailed in developed societies.
Political parties need revision regarding their structure as they lack democracy.

Economic growth brings prosperity in the life of common. A prosper society is more
likely to adopt democracy and actively engage in political process. Leadership provides
new direction to society and led them to the destination. Pakistan desperately needs
trustworthy leadership that people follow dedicatedly.

Our youth constitute 30% of the society they are representative of new generation. Their
participation may ensure structural improvements in national paradigm. It has been
witnessed that during Pakisan movement youth played vital role in opinion formation
and mass awareness and so is the time now. There is a need to guide our youth to take
the responsibility of our tomorrow. Its the high time when youth is active and willing to
welcome the dawn of democracy and it should be utilized to its fullest.

An impartial system of accountability enhances public trust on the political system. It

provides enormous strength to democratic process. Moreover, it compels thousand who
are charged with governance, to transparently discharge their official responsibilities. It
ensures good governance and strengthens the political set up. Inspite of facing
innumerable challenges and showing unsatisfactory performance, Pakistanis has the
capability to emerge as a democratic and progressive nation. Pakistan can road to
democracy with dedication, determination, commitment, courage and patriotism of its
political leaders. If they are aptly inculcated with the true spirit of democracy, they are
potent enough to change the destiny.

There is no second opinion that democracy is pre-requisite for Pakistan to earn a

respectable place in the international community. Its track record during 62 years of
existence portrays a gloomy picture. The current challenges and threats further
aggravate the scene. But this does no imply there is no room for improvement. A glance
at the history reveals that difficulties always appear in the life of surviving nations. But

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these adversities are proved blessing in disguise when these are faced gallantly. This
moment becomes starting point in their journey towards success. It has all the potential
to overcome the mountainous challenges; the required is unity, faith, discipline and
guidance.

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